Spectra Point and Rampart Overlook Trails

Spectra Point and Rampart Overlook Trails is a 4 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Brian Head, Utah that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from April until September.

DISTANCE

4.0 miles

ELEVATION GAIN

977 feet

ROUTE TYPE

Out & Back

kid friendly

birding

hiking

nature trips

trail running

walking

forest

views

wild flowers

wildlife

Located at 10,350 feet elevation, Cedar Breaks National Monument makes a nice reprieve from the summers heat found at Zion National Park and the Grand Canyon.
Cedar Breaks is host to only two trails, the Ramparts Trail which includes Spectra Point and a circular 2 mile Alpine Pond Trail.
The Ramparts portion of the trail starts at the end of Spectra Point amidst the Bristlecone pine trees. The 2 mile round trip path is well maintained but steep, making this portion of the trail more difficult than the moderate Spectra Point portion of the trail.

John H.

We only had time to do Spectra Point, but it was well worth the mile or so hike each way. It is a bit steep in some places, but easy for a kid to do. You get to walk along the side of narrow cliff and the overlook is beautiful.

The best thing about Cedar Breaks in the summer is the cool temperatures, at least 20 degrees cooler than in Cedar City below. This is really the only moderately difficult hike in the monument. The other options are either very short or very long. The views on this hike are great, but beware that it is pretty much all downhill on the way to Rampart Overlook and you are going to have to climb back up, at an altitude that is going to make it tough if you are not acclimated. Also, note that there are often torrential thunderstorms in the afternoon, with hail possible, and the mud on the trail makes it like you are walking through clay. I did this one year in August and it snowed.

Zhou (Joe) Y.

It is a very beautiful hike with thick pine on one side and brilliant red rock on the other. Very few people on the trail so you get to relax and enjoy the sites and is relatively easy. Bring bug spray though, got bitten a few times even with spray.